Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-08-27
HOME AGAIN.
Phil Gibson Returns from Minnesota
His Views on the Railroad War
and Things in General.

His Views on the Railroad war
and Things in General.
Last evening Phil Gibson. Mrs. Gibson
and their two children arrived in town
from Helena, where they had s%ojourned d
few days on their way home from Mime
spolis. Mrs. Gibson's many friends were
pleased to see her again in Great Falls,
where she has always been greatly esteem.
ed in social circles.
Phil Gibson received a regular ovation
from his fellow citizens when he appear
ed on the streets. The opinion had gain
ed ground that the town had been a trifle
dull since he went away, and his return is
now associated with buss fall trade, the
spproach of the railroad and lively times
generally. He has returned brimful of
good humor and good news. He manag-
ed to escape the "interviewers" in the
Twin Cities, but that was impossible here,
things in general"
he was asked.
4 J0P1C 4 SpSA3ilS HI SuuiIfCl. LIZ
replied. ''in the customary way at Mime
tonka, White Bear and other resorts.
There are a. good many Minneapolis folks
in Europe and q large number are visiting
old haunts in New England and the mid
die states. Minneapolis is preparing &C
lively for the great exhibition which will
soon open with a grand display OF indus
trial products and works of art. st. Paul
is also lively and expects that the annual
state fair will be a grand success. In
both cities decided progress has been made
in building and other improvements,
Large sums of money have been invested
through agents in real estate in the neigh.
borhood of the two cities, resulting ia
considerable gains to property-holders
and real estate dealers"
THE RAILROAD FREIGHT WAR.
What about the expected railroad
war;"
II have not looked into the matter very
closely, but the main facts are that the
Manitoba and Northern Pacific lines have
in some instances made new rates for
wheat which are the Same to Duluth as
to Minneapolis. The millers in the Flour
City fear that this will divert wheat to
Duluth or force them to pay higher prices
in order to obtain it. The Manitoba folks
say that the Minneapolis differential from
all points south and east of Fergus Falls and
Berlin, Dakota, which has obtained for
four years is to be retained and in some
instances is to be increased. The reduc-
ton OF rates, they say, Is general and bene-
fits Minneapolis as well as Duluth; it is
made on the ground that the earnings
justify ii. Any discrimination against
Minneapolis and St. Paul, where the Man
itoba has such large inv estments and in
%terests, would be simply suicidal and is
not TO be thought Of. At competitive and
junction points, however, between the
Manitoba and Northern Pacific, the for
mer and longer road to Duluth is COM
PEELED to meet the Duluth rate Of the lat
ter and shorter road. The Manitoba will
not, however, give Duluth the same rates
On its Watertown branch that Minneapolis
gets. The Northern Pacific asserts that
last fall the Minneapolis & Pacific entered
its territory and, having a shorter line to
Minneapolis, made a lower rate. This
rate the Northern Pacific now meets in
recognition of the shor er lines right to
make the rate. Its rates to Duluth, how
ever, must come Gown equally to avoid
violation of the interstate act. Some COM
promise may be adopted which will allay
the fears of the Minneapolis millers, who
look for a good years business
TRADE PROSPEROUS.
"What is the general state OF busiaess?"
"Well, everything depends very much
on the crops. Reports differ but it is safe
TO count on some losses in the corn crop
which will slightly reduce the yield as
compared with last years. The wheat
crop is estimated at $4,000, 600 bushels,
which. with the stock carried over is about
enough to meet the home and foreign de-
mand. The movement Of grain from the
northwest is remarkably large, though
lake transporters get the lions share of it.
Rufalo's July receipts by lake have never
been exceeded but once. while the latest
report of eastbound rail shipments from
Chicago is the smallest for many years.
The railroads continue to report large
earnings, 107 roads showing a net gain of
1T percentage for July over last year.
Altogether the condition of business is
good and is likely to continue so. Manu-
facturers are busy and are making a fair
profit on their goods. Merchants have
had a good year so far and look for brisk
demand in the fall. Prices as a rule are
firm for all staple goods"
TOME INTERESTS.
TELL us about home INTERESTS
81 found considerable interest evinced
everywhere in Great Falls. The city is
widely known among railroad men and
merchants. Many people are waiting for
The opening of the railroad, when they
gill come here with money to engage in
manufactures and trade or in farming
i,ursr1its in this vicinity. There ara MANY